Sausage balls are a popular appetizer for parties and gatherings. They are made of sausage, cheese, spices and other ingredients mixed together into little balls that are then baked. Sausage balls can be time consuming to make, so many people like to prepare them in advance and freeze them to have on hand whenever needed. But should you freeze sausage balls before or after cooking them? Here is a look at the pros and cons of each method.
Freezing Uncooked Sausage Balls
There are some advantages to freezing sausage balls before cooking them:
- It saves time later – You can pull the frozen sausage balls out of the freezer and bake them without having to do any prep work like mixing and forming the balls.
- Better texture – Some people feel that freezing before cooking helps maintain a nice, firm texture in the sausage balls after they are baked. The raw sausage holds its shape and texture better than pre-cooked sausage balls.
- Less risk of drying out – There is some risk that pre-baked sausage balls will dry out or get rubbery when frozen and reheated later. Freezing them raw avoids this problem.
However, there are a few potential downsides to freezing uncooked sausage balls:
- Inaccurate cook time – It can be hard to know exactly how long frozen raw sausage balls will take to cook through once baked. They may require more or less time than normal.
- Uneven cooking – Some sausage balls may cook faster than others, leading to inconsistencies in doneness.
- Risk of undercooking – If not heated thoroughly, there could be a risk of the sausage not reaching a safe internal temperature.
Freezing Pre-Cooked Sausage Balls
On the other hand, freezing sausage balls after baking them also has some advantages:
- Ready in minutes – Baked sausage balls just need to be reheated or thawed and served, which takes less time than baking them from scratch.
- Consistent results – Since they are already fully cooked, you know they will just need to be heated through and will have the proper texture already.
- Food safety – Pre-cooked sausage ensures any food safety concerns from raw meat are addressed prior to freezing.
Freezing cooked sausage balls does have a few potential cons as well:
- Texture changes – The thawed or reheated sausage balls may have a softer texture than fresh baked ones. They could dry out.
- Cooking loss – Some flavor and fat/moisture may be lost during the initial baking.
- Storage time – Pre-cooked sausage balls may not freeze quite as long as raw.
Tips for Freezing Sausage Balls
To get the best results from freezing sausage balls, cooked or uncooked, here are some useful tips:
- Use freezer-safe materials – Place on a baking sheet or pan lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat before freezing. Once frozen solid, transfer to freezer bags or airtight containers.
- Portion – Freeze sausage balls in portions ideal for your recipes, like clusters of 3-4 balls.
- Label – Note the number of sausage balls and date frozen on the freezer bag or container.
- Avoid freezer burn – Exclude as much air as possible and seal bags/containers tightly.
- Freeze rapidly – Freeze sausage balls quickly in a cold freezer rather than letting them freeze gradually.
- Glaze after reheating – If needed, you can brush thawed pre-baked sausage balls with oil or melted butter and broil for a minute to recrisp the outside.
Sausage Ball Recipes
Sausage balls can be flavored sweet or savory for different recipes. Here are some tasty options:
Classic Sausage Balls
- 1 lb breakfast sausage
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 cups bisquick
- 1/4 cup milk
Stir ingredients together until a dough forms. Scoop and roll into 1-inch balls. Bake at 400°F for 18-20 minutes until browned. Can be frozen raw or cooked.
Jalapeño Popper Sausage Balls
- 1 lb spicy sausage
- 8 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup shredded cheddar
- 3/4 cup biscuit mix
- 1/4 cup pickled jalapeños, diced
Mix ingredients, scoop into balls, and bake at 400°F 15-18 minutes. Let cool completely before freezing.
Cranberry Pecan Sausage Balls
- 1 lb maple sausage
- 2 cups pecans, chopped
- 2 cups shredded gouda
- 1 cup dried cranberries, chopped
- 3/4 cup biscuit mix
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
Combine ingredients and shape into 1-inch balls. Bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes until browned. Can be frozen before or after baking.
Storing and Reheating Frozen Sausage Balls
Storing
For best quality, use frozen sausage balls within:
- Raw sausage balls: 2-3 months
- Cooked sausage balls: 1-2 months
Keep frozen at 0°F or below. Thaw refrigerated in fridge overnight before using.
Reheating from Frozen
To reheat frozen sausage balls:
- Raw sausage balls: Place frozen balls on a baking sheet. Bake at 400°F, 20-25 minutes until cooked through and browned. An instant-read thermometer should read 165°F.
- Cooked sausage balls: Place frozen balls on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 10-15 minutes until heated through. Microwaving is not recommended.
Let sit 1-2 minutes before serving warm.
Conclusion
Freezing sausage balls, whether raw or cooked, can be a great way to save prep time and have these tasty appetizers ready to bake anytime. Raw sausage balls may freeze a little better in terms of texture, but cooked sausage balls offer more convenience. Be sure to store frozen sausage balls properly in airtight packaging and use within recommended timelines. Follow reheating instructions carefully, especially for raw frozen sausage balls, to ensure they reach safe internal temperatures. With the right freezing and reheating methods, you can enjoy delicious sausage balls from your freezer for parties, game days, or weeknight dinners any time.